Mimi Kirchner asked for pattern testers to try out her soon to be released Tiny World Pincushion pattern. Lucky me that I saw her request within minutes and signed up. I've been enamored of these little creations from the first time I saw one on her blog. They're an extension of the make-do pincushions that women used to create from old china ... a lone cup, a sugar bowl missing its lid, etc. Mimi has taken that one step further by transforming them into tiny worlds with little landscapes.
I have a little tea set with the infamous Blue Willow pattern on it that was given to me by my grandmother when I was a little girl. However it was deemed too precious for me to play with and it was safely boxed away for later. Later never seemed to arrive until finally a few years ago the box was rediscovered in my father's garage. They're darling little cups made in Japan. I'm short the lids for the sugar bowl and the teapot. Also I must be one cup shy as there's an extra saucer. These would make the perfect tiny world pincushions!
Here's my version complete with a piece of Donegal tweed wool for the roof:
Mimi said that the pattern should be available by the end of this week. It's chock full of color photographs detailing every step of the way. Superbly done! Go and visit Mimi, you know you want to make one too. Here's Mimi's flickr set of her tiny worlds for inspiration.







I wrote to Mimi too late to be a tester! Pooh! I will be buying her pattern for sure - I, like you, have been enamored of her tiny worlds since she first showed them. I think your version is just brilliant! Love the ribbing on the path!
Posted by: Judi W | May 04, 2009 at 04:45 PM
It is beautiful! You were lucky to get in quickly.
Posted by: shashi. | May 06, 2009 at 09:08 AM
very cool, makes me want to live in a house on hill in a teacup! Great job!
Posted by: urban craft | May 07, 2009 at 09:54 PM
Such a beautiful little world! I would love to live in it sometime.
Posted by: Heera | May 28, 2009 at 03:28 AM